u/Forsaken-Picture1380

Hi everyone,

I’m an Aussie currently based in Paris with dual EU citizenship, and I’m looking for some perspective from people working in Italy’s creative industries.

My background is in fashion product development, specifically RTW/textiles, with experience across development, sourcing, and production. Alongside that, I also have a strong background in wine/hospitality and previously worked as a sommelier and wine buyer in high-end restaurants.

I’ve spent the last 5 months job hunting in Paris with very little success despite extensive applications. A large part of that is definitely language-related as my French still isn’t fluent. But honestly, the experience has also made me question whether Paris — and perhaps the direction of mainstream fashion more broadly — is actually the right fit for me long term.

What I’m increasingly drawn toward is work that feels more human, tactile, artisanal, and culturally connected. Craftsmanship over scale. Quality over trend cycles. The reason Italy appeals to me so deeply is because it still seems to value beauty, materials, culture, and lifestyle in a way I connect with much more naturally.

I know Milan is the obvious centre for fashion careers, but I don’t feel particularly aligned with it personally. Rome, on the other hand, feels much closer to the kind of life and environment I’d actually like to build for myself, though I’m also very open to other parts of Italy.

I’m trying to understand what realistic creative paths might exist for someone with my background outside the more corporate side of fashion.

Things I’m interested in could include:

artisanal/luxury brands

textiles/materials

product development for smaller houses

craftsmanship-focused businesses

hospitality/lifestyle concepts

wine/luxury crossover industries

sustainable or slower-fashion environments

creative consultancy/brand development

cultural or heritage-focused businesses

I’m not necessarily looking to abandon my experience, but rather evolve it into something that feels more aligned with the kind of life I want moving forward.

I’d also really appreciate advice on how you would personally approach the Italian job market in my situation.

For context:

I have dual EU citizenship

I’m currently around B1 in Italian

I have a polished Italian CV already prepared

I’m very willing to integrate and continue improving the language

I’m open to Rome or other parts of Italy if the opportunities/environment feel right

Would you focus more on:

direct applications?

networking?

recruiters?

smaller artisanal brands?

LinkedIn outreach?

showing up in person?

hospitality/luxury crossover industries?

Would love to hear from anyone working in Italy — especially people in fashion, textiles, luxury, hospitality, or adjacent creative industries — about what paths might realistically exist and how you’d tackle the move/job search strategically.

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone,

Looking for some career perspective from people in the wine world.

I’m currently based in Paris and working in/coming from fashion product development (RTW/textiles), but I also have a substantial wine background — sommelier work and wine buying in high-end restaurants including World’s 50 Best-level venues.

I’m considering relocating to Italy, ideally Rome, and I’m trying to figure out how to use my wine experience WITHOUT returning to full-time floor sommelier/fine dining life. I loved the industry, but eventually the stress, hours, and physical burnout became unsustainable for me.

What I still love:

wine culture

curation/taste/storytelling

artisanal products

hospitality environments

relationship-building

sourcing/procurement

What I’m trying to understand is:

What career paths exist adjacent to wine/hospitality that still have creativity and growth, but are less physically intense?

Examples I’ve wondered about:

wine import/export

brand development

hospitality consulting

boutique hotel/F&B concepts

luxury client relations

wine tourism

buying/procurement

lifestyle branding

Would especially love insight from people based in Italy or working with Italian producers/brands.